Claude Harkins and Inez Harkins Papers

Dates: 1944-2002.

Collectors of Historical Memorabilia.

The papers of Claude and Inez Harkins consist of photographs, correspondence, printed materials, and architectural drawings reflecting their interest in collecting memorabilia related to the White House and the life of George Washington.

Size: Less than one-half of one linear foot (approximately 50 pages).
Access: Open.
Copyright: Claude and Inez Harkins gave to the United States of America their copyright interest in all of the material in this collection.
Processed by: Kelley McNabb (2010).

The papers of Claude and Inez Harkins consist of photographs, correspondence, printed materials, and architectural drawings reflecting their interest in collecting memorabilia related to the White House and the life of George Washington.

The collection includes extensive floor plans and drawings of the White House and an order form for a White House memento kit from the Commission on the Renovation of the Executive Mansion.

Also included are handwritten notes by former President Harry S. Truman for a speech he delivered to an American Legion luncheon in Welch, West Virginia, on November 11, 1957; several photographs taken of Truman on that occasion; and a letter from Truman regarding his appearance at the luncheon.

Other photographs in the collection show Mr. and Mrs. Fred D. Wright at the White House or at various social events. Mr. Wright, an architect, was involved in the renovation of the White House during the Truman administration. The collection includes a letter of recommendation for Wright from another architect, Gilbert Stanley Underwood.

The printed materials in the collection include published articles by Mr. Harkins concerning his interest in collecting historical memorabilia.

The Harkins Papers were originally opened for research as part of the Miscellaneous Historical Documents Collection (MHDC 915).